National Republican., 1887-09-19
Lay Representation in tho Grand Army.

Lay Representation In the Grand Army.
EDITOR NATIONAL REPUBLICAN: While
/ favor keeping politics out Of the Grand
Army OF the Republic, go a step further
and advise keeping politicians out of it's
national councils. II has no place for par
tisan politicians, rebels or rebel sympa-
thizers, as little for the one as the other.
lts great object, indeed It's only object, is
to keep open and prominent the historic
facts, that there is distinction aud O diff
ference wide removed as pole from pole be-
tween treason and loyalty. "Loyalty Ia one OF
the triune words OF It's great motto, but
fraternity Is the first. The prime essential
quality OF brotherhood is equality OF all
who wore the blue, irrespective OF rank.
Rank ceased with the war. We are all OF
one rank now, simply citizens OF the great
republic, on plane OF public equality, the
highest rank attainable In q republic, where
citizenship is distinction. On this rock the
republic rests securely. On the same
foundation the Gaand Army OF the Republic
securely reposes, and the gates OF hell can
not prevail against II SO long as the great
fraternity ignore all other distinctions and
meet on this high level.
But few except ex-generals, congressman,
and politicians who have axes to grind are
elected delegates to its national encanp-
ment, while the ex.privatos, the humble,
Dameless members Of the posts, pay all
their expenses, This Is wrong aud sub
versive Of the great foundation principle OF
the order. The only way to correct 1t is to
submit plan whereby the posts hereafter
she'll select their own delegates and pay
their expenses, or let them defray their own
expenses, which would be far more acc ept-
able to the rank and file. There should
be a. majority of privates there
Generally there are none except
as spectators. 1t Is our own fault. We
have nobody to blame but ourselves. The
state encampments choose the national
delegations, and II they are not represented
| H. is their own fault. But somehow the
big bugs work in for the annual display and
1ambaree. l have no quarrel with the pa
trieian class because they slip In so easily
| and squeeze the rank and lile back. 1t is
| only human nature, and the Grand Army
| OF the Republic are only men, even II they
| generally are the flower OF the land, rs
| boldly assert they always were and always
| will remain until they disappear from the
earth. 1t Is too grand an Organization to
be used to boost any man into pubic favor.
1t is objected that my plan would make the
| national encampment too numerous.
| The more the merrier, at other soldiers
reunions. The annual encampment is only
| q reunion, and nothing more or less. What
| Jurisdiction has It or court? None What
authority as q legislative bodyf None, alb.
solutey none. 1t cannot talk politics. It
has no powers. What difference h W many
are presents 1t can only cheer and shake
hands, and swear by the old flag aud at its
enemies. 1t h Is nothing else to do. 1t can
have high old time; only this, nothing
| more. Cannot privates exercise those
powers and prerogatlves as ably as briga-
diers or congressman We are all volun-
tcers.:W We are governed by no one, subject to
no one, free as mountain air. 1t is no
senate, no congress, no court, with no
POLITICAL social, corporate, judicial, legis-
lative, or other power, but the mild powers
end / love the Grand Army OF the Re-
public. We all love It. But we want 1t at
st. Louis to remove this, the only barrier to
aperfect unrestrained equality and brother
hood, and take the priyates in next year.
PRIVATE DALZELL.
CALDWELL, OHIO, Sept. /, 1887.